THE Taoiseach has urged greater cooperation between Ireland and Britain on economic issues, calling for a joint approach in areas such as training and the environment.

Speaking to members of the Irish in Business Network in London yesterday, Mr Bruton suggested that Ireland should seek to link up with the proposed British National Grid for Learning to share training and educational initiatives.

Training, he said, could be done in partnership between the two economies and Britain and Ireland should also work together to tackle organised crime and should look at the merits of establishing a joint food safety agency.

"We have got to work on guaranteeing food safety. And why can't our two national food safety agencies work together."

And while huge differences have emerged between the two economies over environmental concerns, Mr Bruton urged greater cooperation in the future.

The Irish in Business Network includes more 300 senior Irish business people working in Britain.

The network, established by the Irish Trade Board just two years ago, works in a low key way to help to encourage links between Irish and British businesses.

Its members include Mr Peter Sutherland and chief executives of many of Britain's leading companies.

Mr Bruton thanked the network for its support, particularly for the encouragement it has given to the Irish export sector.

The Taoiseach also highlighted the strength of the Irish economy which, he said, had surpassed the performance of most European economies.

The free education policies of the 1960s, he said, had contributed to much of Ireland's current economic boom. And the growing young population and the new skills they bring to the workforce were driving the economy and encouraging investment.